Lighthouse Low Vision Services Test

Lighthouse Low Vision Services Test2023-01-26T10:16:46-08:00
Orientation and Mobility Specialist Erin Fitzpatrick doing white cane training with a student

COVID-19 Update:

Currently our physical location for the Low Vision Clinic and Low Vision Store are open by appointment only.

Low Vision Services Request Form
Doctor Referral for Clinic

Low Vision Clinic – (206) 436-2228
Low Vision Services – (206) 436-2154
Low Vision Store – (206) 436-2229

CLINIC HOURS: Mondays-Thursdays 8:00-4:00 by appointment only
In-person appointments available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. |  Telehealth appointments available Mondays.

STORE HOURS: The store is not open for in-person visits, but store orders can be placed over the phone. Please call (206) 436-2229 for inquiries.

The Lighthouse for the Blind Inc., located at 2501. S. Plum in Seattle is expanding its programs to enhance services for the Low Vision Community in the Puget Sound region. Services include Low Vision Rehabilitation Services, Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic, and Lighthouse Low Vision Store.

Low vision is generally defined as a vision decrease that cannot be corrected with conventional glasses or contact lenses which interferes with the performance of daily living tasks. Examples of eye conditions that can cause low vision include macular degeneration, glaucoma, inherited retinal conditions, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, etc.

Jane Elliott (right) shows Nhi Porter (left) how to use a large print calendar

Jane Elliott (right) shows Nhi Porter (left) how to use a large print calendar

Community Low Vision Rehabilitation Services including Independent Living & Safe Travel:

Our Independent Living Program serves the following counties: King, Snohomish, Skagit, Island and San Juan Counties, and O&M services for Pierce County.

Instructors come to your home and work with you to learn new ways to perform the tasks of everyday living: appliance use, medication management, telephone and time telling techniques, and reading and writing. Lighthouse Orientation and Mobility Instructors help you to achieve your travel goals, such as moving around your home and neighborhood safely and independently, or traveling by bus or paratransit. We can help you learn new skills to cope with vision loss.

For more information about services, call (206) 436-2154 to speak to a representative, or fill out a referral request here.

Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic

Our Low Vision Clinic located at 2501 S. Plum St in Seattle serves people residing in Washington state. The Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic offers functional vision assessments by a residency trained optometrist who will work with you to maximize your vision and function to perform daily living tasks. A low vision therapist will work with you to ensure you are comfortable and confident with the prescribed aid and technique.

Low vision exam and what to expect during your initial visit:

Dr. Anna Shagas (left) performs an eye exam with Michael Martens (right)

Dr. Anna Shagas (left) performs an eye test with Michael Martens (right)

A low vision exam is a functional vision assessment performed by an optometrist which includes an evaluation of the eyeglass prescription and recommendation of optical and non-optical devices to best meet each client’s individualized daily living goals. Some of the evaluations will include special testing to map out central or peripheral vision, depending on the eye condition at hand. The special testing will allow for both the client and the service providers to learn more about the effects of the eye condition on clients’ functional vision.

After the functional vision assessment with an optometrist, an occupational therapist will review clients’ rehabilitation goals, teach clients how to use devices prescribed and apply them to daily living skills.

The initial exam can take up to 2 hours due to extensive testing with the optometrist and rehabilitation therapy with the occupational therapist.

Clinic Rehabilitation Services

Our low vision rehabilitation services are provided by a licensed occupational therapist, who assists clients to maximize their remaining vision in order to increase independence in meaningful daily activities, or occupations. Our occupational therapist works closely with our interprofessional team, including the low vision optometrist and certified orientation and mobility specialists.

Occupational therapists help clients with low vision improve their participation in desired and necessary activities of daily living, such as reading, writing or using a computer. Our occupational therapist assists with:

  • Teaching clients to use their remaining vision as efficiently as possible to complete activities
  • Training in the use of adaptive devices and assistive technology to compensate for vision loss
  • Helping to modify activities or tasks so they can be completed with reduced vision
  • Recommending modifications to the environment to promote safety, accessibility and independence

Low vision occupational therapy services typically involve 6 to 8 sessions, including the evaluation and assessment. The evaluation process will be completed following the functional visual assessment with our low vision optometrist. The occupational therapist will then help clients establish therapy goals and recommend the appropriate duration and frequency of low vision rehabilitation services based on clients’ specific needs.

Paying for Low Vision Exam and Rehabilitation Therapy:

Medicare and most third-party insurance companies pay for the low vision exam, special testing, and low vision rehabilitation with the occupational therapist. The refraction/eyeglasses prescription is not covered by Medicare and other medical insurance companies, thus this does end up being an out of pocket expense. If you are wearing a glasses prescription already, which is up to date and provides maximum correction available in spectacles, then we will not need to update the glasses Rx.

For more information about services, call (206) 436-2228 to speak to a representative, or click this link to ask your doctor to fill out a referral form.

Funding:

We rely on community support from local corporations, foundations, service organizations, and individuals, in addition to income from the sale of our products. This additional funding is critical to preserving and expanding programs for those we serve. Lighthouse Low Vision Services receives funding from the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.

King County Logo

Lighthouse Low Vision Store

Dr. Anna Shagas, OD (left) demonstrating a CCTV to Dennis Tay

Dr. Anna Shagas, OD (left) demonstrating a CCTV (electronic magnifier) to Dennis Tay

The store is co-located with the Low Vision Clinic, where you can purchase the equipment you need for living an independent life.  Here is a sampling of the products our store carries:

  • High-powered reading glasses
  • Handheld and stand magnifiers, as well as electronic magnifiers
  • Talking watches and clocks
  • White canes for safe and independent travel
  • A variety of adaptive aids for the kitchen and other in-home areas
  • Quality sun glasses/glare protection
  • Task lighting
  • Large button telephones, remotes, recorders

Our store is currently not open to the public for in-person visits.  It is available for clinic patients who have appointments and for phone orders.  In-person clinic appointments available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

For more information about our Low Vision Store, or to make a phone order, call (206) 436-2229 to speak to a representative.

Funding:

We rely on community support from local corporations, foundations, service organizations, and individuals, in addition to income from the sale of our products. This additional funding is critical to preserving and expanding programs for those we serve. Lighthouse Low Vision Services receives funding from the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.

King County Logo

Education and Resources:

Erin and student walking with cane in neighborhood street and smiling

Orientation and Mobility Specialist Erin Fitzpatrick doing white cane training with a student

Lighthouse Low Vision Services provides resources and information to individuals affected by vision loss. Examples include referral to local support groups, government based programs & services, and educational brochures.  We are happy to offer presentations to local community members and agencies.

Brochures (PDF)

Local Resources

Local Transportation

National Organizations and Resources

College and Education Resources

Dog Guide Information

DeafBlind Resources

Assistive Technology

Accessible Web Design

Blindness Resources for Seniors

For more information please call (206) 436-2154 to speak to a representative, or fill out a referral request here.

Last updated on: 08-10-2021

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The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. logo
2501 S. Plum Street | Seattle, WA 98144
Toll Free: (800) 914-7307
Fax: (206) 329-3397

Our Mission:
We empower people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities by creating diverse, sustainable, and meaningful employment opportunities.

Quality Objectives:
The quality objectives have been established to define, describe and ensure that the Business Management Policy is fulfilled. The Lighthouse establishes specific annual quality objectives designed to continually improve customer satisfaction through the improvement of the Business Management System. Actual Objectives are defined in the BMS Review Meeting.